Adult education program earns state honors

BEAUFORT – The Beaufort County School District’s adult education program has received two statewide awards as well as $822,000 in performance-based funding tied to positive academic results.

Although the district’s adult education program serves students of all ages, performance-based funding rewards those that help students ages 17-22 earn their South Carolina high school diplomas, WorkKeys certificates or high school equivalency diplomas (GEDs).

“Our adult education team continues to raise the bar,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “These recognitions represent a tremendous amount of time, effort and energy devoted to helping students be successful in school and in life.”

Adult Education Director Juanita Murrell said this is the third year for performance-based funding, which allocates state and federal dollars to local programs based on indicators such as students’ academic improvements as well as the numbers of students earning high school diplomas, WorkKeys certificates or GEDs. Beaufort County has received $822,000 in performance-based funds based on indicators from the 2015-16 school year.

“Adult Education has a tremendous positive impact, not only on the lives of students but also on the economy and business climate of the entire county,” Murrell said. “That’s because we have a singular focus, and that is creating pathways for students to get and keep good jobs. The more gains we make with our students and the more lives we improve, the more funding we’ll receive.”

Murrell said the performance-based funds will be used to offset participation costs for students, and that will include purchases of books and supplies for students as well as paying for GED practice tests and GED exams.

The district’s adult education program has earned two statewide honors:WorkKeys Award – Students who score well on national WorkKeys exams can earn “portable” National Career Readiness Certificates that can be used to qualify for jobs anywhere in the country. The South Carolina Department of Education recognizes adult education programs in which students earn the most WorkKeys certificates, and this year Beaufort County’s students earned the most certificates (511) in the statewide classification for large adult ed programs.Vocational Rehabilitation WorkKeys Award – This award is presented to programs in which more than 80 percent of Vocational Rehabilitation students (students with disabilities) enrolled in adult education program earn WorkKeys certificates. In Beaufort County, 82 percent of Vocational Rehabilitation students in adult ed went on to earn WorkKeys certificates during the 2015-16 school year.

Three teachers earned Teachers Hall of Fame recognitions. Otis Smith was recognized for 20 years of service to adult education while two other teachers – Brenda Glaze and Jannie Williams – were recognized for 10 years of service.

More than 900 students are currently enrolled at nine locations across the Beaufort County School District’s adult education program. Students are not charged to participate as they work toward a high school diploma, WorkKeys certificate or GED.